Boiler-tube cleaner.



N0."878,286. PATENTED PEB. 4, 1908. R. 0. HODGE.

BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31.1906.

villa UNrrnn serres ROBERT o. noneii, or BUFFALO, new from;

BOILER-TUBE CLEANER.

No; 4orages.

Speeilceton of Letters n'tent.

Application nea May ai. 190s'. sein no. 319,504.

. Buffalo, in the county of Erie and Siete of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Boiler-Tube Cleaners, oi which the following is o specification.

This invention relates to that class of boiler tube cleaners or flue blowers which are adapted to deliver a jet of steam 'troni the combustion chamber into the rear ends oi 'the tubes or ilues and drive the soot tor-y Wardly through these tubes and ont through the chimney. v i

A boiler tube cleaner of this description is shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 720,252,1la`ted ,February it), 1903, and

No. 793,834., dii-ted July 4, .1.905. In the flue Cleaners constructed in aceordance with the above mentioned patents a radial fan-shaped steam jetwas produced the ressure of which was greater ngain'st the ues axially in linel with the body of the cleaner than against the fines outside of this axis, causing an unequal distribution of the stearn'over the flue' area and non-uniform cleaning of the'tlues.

f Oneoi" the objects of this invention is to provide a boiler tube or flue cleaner having' a nozzle which .delivers the steam in e compact lor concentrated body and also shifted radially relatively to the main axis ot`rotation for delivering the jet of steam in n concentrated form and successively into all of the lines.

My invention has the further objeot to iinprove the boiler tube cleaner in several details. *Y i.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 'l is a 'fragmentary vertical section oi' the rear end of e marine boiler equipped with my improved-tube cleaner or ilue blower and showing the movable p: .rts oi the eleaner or blower in 'their retracted. or inoperative position. Figf. is a vertical longitudinal seetion of the cleaner on an enlarged scale in line 2, 2, Fig.. 5, and showing the movable parts in thev position whieh they occupy when the cleaner is in use. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 ingly numbered lines in Fig. 2. Fig, (tis a are vertical cross sections in the correspond-r nozzle of the Cleaner in s `"position dillerent.:

`from that shown in Fig. Fig. 7 is a frag- Inentary horizontal section, on en enlarged scale, 1n hne 7-7, Fig.v 2.

Similar letters ol reference indieate eorrespmiding parts throughout the several views.

Although my improved flue dennen is appliunble to boilef of arious: zo that shown Vin the draw: f' is u merino boiler having' a smoke box or combustion ehanlber A within the rea-r part of the sin; i3, t; furnace (l connect-od with the lower end o1c the eoxnlnistion chamber .and 'lines D' Connected with the upper part of the inner wall a. of said rlminber in the us nl marmer ei? this type of boilers.

ln order to )ermit ol usimr in r in'mroved C i tube cleaner on this boiler, o herr i al tli1mble,4 nipple or short seetion ol t it' i tended neross the water alle 2 H`, x HM. i i tw hat a o, (L o. nestor ne in tion rl Member and secured in openings in these Walls bjr upsetting the ends oi the thiol-- ble. A single t uinble oll this itin-,d located opposite the center of the line eres i1- i smell boiler but it' the boiler is oi very large enf parity end has a eorrespmidingly l er ilue area, two or more ol surh thin-ibisare ern-- -)loyed and `distrilnited uniformly over the iluearea eeeh'of vvhieli is adapted to receive one of my improved lino Cleaners which is constructed as follows: The body of the eleaner ronsists of two l'elesoepie tubular seetions F, lf1 which are adapted te slide one upon the other l'or extending the seme into the combustion chamber when in use or retreating the saine out ol' the ooi'nbustion ehaniber when not in use, thus preventing the l'ii'e 'from unneressarilv burnin" the elenner. /ls shown n, outer or rear seetion l" el" eri-angeli within the outer na and rigidly scoured in nl boltsfronneeting leteraliy prei on its outer section vwith the ai Wall oi the boiler shell. Steam. is eoliiuioterl. into the rear end ol the outer body section by moans of a pipe l connecting with a laterally rojeeting'nipple g at the rear end of the outer liodv section, thesteam supply being eontrolled by a'vnlve al in the pipe. The inner or 'front seetion if ol the body is movable :ifxin ly or lengthwise into and out of the out @reeel ion. ',ihe inward oriorwanl movement oi' lhisinnerseotieuis limited byineans oi' an oinnrgomont or external shoulder t lormed et tlio out r end ihm-eel und engaging with an .internal .onldoi :d the inner end. of the rear body se.k onA In addition to mevr struotions nozzle arranged at the inner end of the front body sectionand adapted to, deliver a jet of steam successively into .thel rear ends .of the several lues of the boiler. lThis nozzle consists of a rear inlet or receiving portion .i and a front outlet or delivery portion il. The

receiving portion is pivotally connected With the inner end of the' front body section so as to rotate on an axis Whiehis arranged at an angle to the axis of rotation of the front body section. ranged atan angle to the axis on which itsinlet end turns on the frontbody section. Upon rotating the front body s'ee'tionwhile the outlet of the nozzle mounted thereon pro'ects laterally at the greatest angle relatlve yto the axis of the front body section, as shown in Fig. 2,' the steam issuing therefrom will be.. ,delivered in a circular path successively into the outermost iiues oi the flue area. Upon turning the nozzle in the fron-t body section so that the outlet end ofthe same is parallel With and substantially in axial alinenient with the front bodyk sec-tion'7 as shown in Figs.

i and, the steam issuing from the nozzle will be directed into the tlues at the center of the flue (area. By turning the nozzle on the front body section so that its outlet is 'at a greater or lesser angle to the axis of the front body section the circular path of the steam j et may be increased ordecreased in diameter between the two extremes which it' is possible lto adjust the nozzle and thus enable each of the flues to be reached by the steamy jet. rihe steam issues from the nozzle in a compact or solid body and enters eachvof the tubes individually and alloi them in suc- Acession by the combined rotar and lateral movement of the nozzle relative y tothe front body section, thereby concentrating the full steam pressure into each flue and obtaining the maximum effect of the same for removing the soot from the vtubes or lues.

The mechanism for rotating the front body section and the nozzle is so constructed that these parts are rotated in the same direction but at a dilierent rate so that the outletend of the nozzle constantly changes its angle relatively to the front body section during the rotary movement of these parts in the same direction. By this means the steam issuing from the nozzle vis delivered against the lue area in a spiral path beginning at the center of the flue area when the nozzle is in the position shown in Fig. 6 and gradually Working outwardly in spiral lines'as the nozzle during its rotary movement with the iront body section is shifted from thc position shown in Fig. G to that shown in Fig. 2.

The outlet end of the .nozzle is arLv `formed in a can or bonnet lc which, clos...)

Brasse the center o the flue areav as the nozzle shifts its position from the angle shown in Eiga@ to the angle shown in Fi 6. f .E

The preferred mec anism shown the drawings for operating the iront body sec' tion and the nozzle inthe manner described is constructed as follows: A hollow main shat 'is arranged axially in the sections of the body and composed offa cylindrical rear or outer section j and a square or dat sided iront or inner section jl. The rear c lindrical section of this shaft is journals in a -e outer end ot the rearbody section.

inwardly along spiral lines to outer end this cap is provided with a sterling box the gland Z oi ui'hichsurrounds the main shaft and `:terms a t' rht joint between the same for preventing 1he escapel of steam at this point. The main shaft is held against axial or longitudinal movement in the cap by means of a shoulder or collar m formed on its. inner part and bearing against the inner side of thecap, and a driven gear Wheel or collar M secured to the outer part ci this shaft and bearing against the outer end of the gland Z.j N represents a driving gear Wheel meshing' with the driven gear wheel M on the main shaft and formin f art of the means for turning the latter. ide driving gear wheel N is formed onthe front end of a hub n which is j ournaled on a stud, arbor or screw o arranged ar-allel with the main shaft and secured to a rachet o1 on the rear body section.l A coupybutis free to move axially thereon. This coupling preferably. consists of an outer or rear head 'p having a flat sided bore'itting lthe correspondingly-shaped exterior of the front part of the main shaft, a front head p1 connected by a screw joint Withthe rear end of the front body section and` longitudinal 'v bars p2 connecting the front and rear heads of the coupling. The nozzle 1s journaled at its lrear or inlet end in the circular bearin or opening of a head 1 at the front end of tne front body section and is provided Within said ysection with an external annular flange Q bearing against the inner side of said head and with an annular row of gear teeth g1 forming practically a gear wheel. R represents a nozzle shifting rod or shaft arranged centrally within the front and rear body sections, the coup-` ling and in the main shaft. At its front end this rod is supported by a ridge r in the bore i arts .on the outer of the Acouplin while its rear or outer end is supported in t e outer part oi the main shaft. The bore of the inner part of the main shaft is larger than the diameter of the shifting rod, and'steam is admitted into this space by meansof openings J formed in this portion of the maui shaft, thereby increasing the area of. the steam conduit in the cleaner from theinlet to the outlet thereof. At the outer endof the main shaft the same is provided with a stuhng box having a gland 1"- which surrounds the shitting rod to prevent the es-v cape of steam between these parts. i .Srepresents a ar Wheel or toothed rim which meshes witithe gear teeth or wheel on the rearend of the nozzle. This wheel or '-rim has rearwardly projecting' arms s which are connected at their rear ends by a collar, sleeve or hub s1. The latter is connected by a screw joint with the front end of the shifting rod or shaft as shown in Fig. 2. yA washer or spacing sleeve tis referably inte osed between the hubs s* o the ear S and the'bridge 1' of the coup ing. Upon turning the central shitting rod or shaft R the nozzle is caused to turn with the same by means of the gearing between these and upon moving the iront' body sec- 'onliorward or backward, the central shaft slides through the main shaft without disturbing the driving connection. between the front body section and the main shaft.

T represents a driven gear wheel mounted art of the nozzle shaft and meshing with he driving gear wheel t on the rear end of the hub n. The driven gear wheel T is connected by a s line t1 with the `nozzle shaft so as toperinit t e latter to slide lengthwise through said driven gear Wheel IT but compel the sani/e to turn therewith.

.urepresents a spring surrounding the 'l outer end. of the nozzle shaft and bearing with its front and rear ends avainst the outer side of the driven gear wheelDT and a head,

^ nozzle shaft.

collar or button u1 at the outer end o1` the This spring operates to yieldingly draw the Anozzle shaft outwardly togather with the trent body section, nozzle and other parts connected therewil li, so that the front ends of the nozzle and front body section are retracted within the inner end of the thimble when the tube cleaner is not in use' thereby preventing the nozzle and front bony section from'being burned cr injured unduly by the heat in. the combustion chant,

ber. Tlus springis however siilI-icicntly Weak so that upon'opcinng the steam valve the. steam entering the body of th'c cleaner will be able to push thi` 'front body section forwardly into its extreme position in which the nozzle and the liront end ol the front body section project beyond the inner end 'of 'the thimble, as shown in full lines in Figi. lllheiitlie steam is again turned oil', the resilience of the spring u automatically vlatter by intermeshing with the driven gear wheels M, T turn the main hollow shaft and the central nozzle shaft together with the iront' body section and nozzle which are operatively connected with the iront ends o" these shafts, respectively.

The pair of intermeshing gear wheels which rotate the main shaft are constructed of such a size relatively' to the pair `which rotate the central or nozzle shaft that a differential in the rotary movement of these two shafts is produced although the driving gear wheels of the two pairs rotate in unison. By this means the front section ofthe body is caused to rotate at a different rate from that of the nozzle, although moving in the same direction, whereby the nozzle, while swee ing with a circular motion over the area ofP the flue sheet, is also caused to gradually move laterally toward the center in the manner I heretofore described for directing the steam jet successively into each one or the group of iiues.` It is immaterial whether the relation olE the two pairs of driving and driven gear wheels is such that the front body sec* tion rotates faster or slower than the nozzle so long as there is a differential betweenthe movements of these arts. In the drawings, the driving gear wieel t of the nozzle is smaller than the driving wheel N of the front body section and the driven gear wheel M of the latter is smaller than the corres onding wheel T oi the nozzle, which re ative dimensions of these gear wheels causes the front body section to rotate faster than the nozzle. By increasing or decreasino' the differential between these two airs o? gear wheels, any desired difference Ibetween the rotatory movement of the nozzle and the front body section may be obtained.

The rotation of the driving gear Wheels may be effected by any suitable means but preferably by means of a crank havin a socket in its hub n which fits over the hu 'a i ofthe driving gear wheels and is provided at its front end with a tooth nl engaging with ti. recess w in the outer sido of the nozzle driving gear wheel i. The hub of this crank is of such length that the arm'V thereof can only bc turned when the steam hasbeen turned on and the head 'a1 at the outer end of the central shaft has been moved lforwardly out of. the path of the crank arm, as represented inA Fig. 2. When thesteam is turned off the expansion of the s ring 'a moves the central shaft to ether wit i its outer 'head .into the path of t ie crank arm, thus serving as an indicator for the attendant that the steam has not been turned on if he should attempt to obtuse angleA to rotate the llue cleaner Without first turning on the steam.

inasmuch as the central shaft is connected by s screw joint with the hub s1 the gear riin or wheel S, these parts are liable to become detached by turning the shaft in the direc tion which would unscrew this joint. In order/ to avoid this, the cooperating front sides or the tooth 'v1 and its companion recess w in the gear Wheell t are noa-de abrupt While thel rear sides thereof'are lmade inclined; as shown in Fig 7,. By this means a driving connection can be produced between the cranir and the driving gear wheels only in the direction in which the central shaft is turned with s movement which would tighten the screw joint between the same and the hub s1 instead of loosening the same.

By Varying the angle of the axis of the nozzle pivot relatively to the axis of the ro- -tarv bod section the ran e or extreme distance which it is possible to throw the steam by means of the nozzle can be yaricsl to suit.. the particular area of the flue sheet which must be covered by the steam jet. order to enable the nozzle'todistribute the steam most effectively over a certain flue' are@ the ongle of the' axis about whichthenozzle rotstes should be .half way between `the two" extreme positions or angles which the nozze should assume in directing the ste-ero. against the eenter'of the fine eres.I and against the outermost partei the same. A-

I elsirn as rny invention:

l. A boiler tube cleaner comprisins e, rotary body or oarrier having a steam inlet, sind e steam delivery-nozzlelmounted on sein body and capable of being shifted into'dif'- ferent angles relatively to the exis of the body, substantially as set forth.

2, A boiler tube cleaner comprising a rotsry body or carrier having a steam in et, and a steam delivery nozzle rotatsble on the body about an axis Which isl arranged at en the axis of the body and adapted to be rotated with the body and also movable radially relatively thereto in all directions, substantially as set forth.

3. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a rotate-ble body having a steam suaply-and rotatabledischarge nolzzle ivote cn said body et on angle to the airis t iereoi and haveA ing its outlet arranged at an angle to the axis of its pivot, substantielly as set forth.

4; A boiler vtube cleaner comprising a rotateble body having a steam' supply at its rear end and a head at its front end which is inclined aten angle to the axis ci the body, `end a rotatable nozzle having a rear or inlet portion which is pivoted in said head and adapted to rotate in the lane thereof and s. front 'or outlet portion W ich is arranged atv an :ingle to the plane of rotation of the nozzle, substantiall as set forth.

5. A boiler tube cleaner comprising nl.

nozzle at diil'erent rotes,

` its p iro? i termesinii` which is arranged at an angle to Yrear end end a heno its ltion which is *pivoted said, l

stesso' 'rotatsole body having s si-,eern supply, a rot-sd trible dischargenozzie pivote l on seid body'st an ongle 'to the therec d having l" outlet arranged et an angle to the axis of its pivot and Ineens for rotating seid body end substantially ss set forth.

6. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a ro tatable body havinl e steam supply at itsv rear end und s heef at its front end which is inclined at an angle to the axis olfl the body,-

LDS,

o. rotatable nozzle having a rear or inlet non tion 'which is pivoted in said head and adapted to be rotated in the piene tliereol and a front or outlet portion which is at nn angle to the lplane oi rotatie" nozzle, and means for rotating and nozzle in the seine direction rates, substantially as set for 7'. A boiler tube cleaner co ne a ro# tary body having steam :nl discharge' nozzlepxvotedfonsaid body aiglev to the exis t c eef h vi w Winches nr ineens. tor rots l eers one or e'entriewvitli toe if other ooneentrie with subsite Lully es set its l boils be cleaner i A tory listing e. steam inJ nozzle riveted on body et s eine tirereci' 'ond having en os.

its nivot. ineens for rotetmg shaft arranged nirielly Within inter weer Wheels 'comes said` nozzle sind) shett, substsn fr tube elesner Icoz retable body haviuig,1 stes-rr'. su

L "t iron. is inclined .at an ansie to the o rotateble nozzle i ovins; e 1.

adapted to rotate 4in the there. iront or outlet portion Weir; is an angle to the pleinev oi rotntion o zie, an external flange t end of said nozzle and bearing; egeinner side oi seid head, a slioi't stre ally in said body, end provided at end with. an head, err

, an angle to tno i ,iortion which is :in nged iii plane of rotation oi the nozzle, a shaft operatively eonneciin with the body, another shoft operatively .ffoniimted with the no e, and :no for torni: mid

consisting of a han' of dii'lerontsi il driving` gear wine-ls ineshinf, with a pair of dill' ront sized dri on. gear wheels on seid shafts, respemgivr-rly, sntstinitially as set forth.'

12. A boiler tube Cleaner eoi'nprisiiig a tubular body eorniiosed of :1i roer lined seetion and fi front section capable of longitudinal and rotary inoveinent relatively to the rear section, e hollow nifiin shrill arranged axially in the rear hody section, ineens constructed to rompe-l said front libdy seetion lo turn with. the hollow :malt lint permit the saine to .ri/inve lengthwise thereof, .-i nozzle pivoted on said front body section :it an angle to the axis thereof and having its outlet arranged at an angle to the axis of its pivot, a

nozzle shaft ii 'ranged within the hollow shaft, Aand gearing` connecting the nozzle and nozzle shaft, substontiallv'as sety forth.

13. A bboiler 'tiihe cleaner comprising n, tubular body composee of a rear 'fixed section and e front section eapahle of longitudinal and rotary movement relatively to the rear sect-ion, a hollow inain shaft arrenged axially in the reni holly section, ineens constructed to compel said front body section to turn 'With the hollow shaft but perniit the same to move lengthwise thereof, a nozzle pivoted on said front body section at an angle to the t ieieof and havingr its outlet rranged et on angle lo the axis of its pivot, a nozzle slinft arranged within the hollow shaft, gearing` connecting,r the nozzle and nozzle shaft, and differential driving mechanism connected with said shaft, substantially as set forth. t

14. A boiler tube -eleaner comprising a tubular hotly composed of it 'rear 'fixed section, and a front section capable of longitudinal and rotnry movement relatively to the rear section, o. hollow iniiin shaft arranged axially in the rear bwl): seetioo, onions von Strnofed to compel :mid front body snol ion to turn with the hollow shaft but iii-Vinit the same to nieve lengthwise' thereof, a nozzle pivoted on said front hody seetion nt an angle to 'the axis thereof end heviiigxits outlet arranged et an angle, to the axis ol its pivot,

ope r. ti wel): eonnec tot l a nozzle shaft'arrnnged within the hollow shaft, gearing connecting the nozzle and nozzle shaft, and o spring oi'ierating to yieldtiaily as set forth.

15. A boiler tube cleaner comprisnig a lribolar body composed of a rear fixed sec-v tion and a front section capable of' longitudinel und rotary movement :relatively to the l n i 'fixed section, :i hollow niiiin shalt Jourrniled in the outer end of the fixed section lint held iofeinsl axial movement, a coupling connectinig the front section of the body and the hol` lov.' shoi't find constructed to compel the front section to turn with the hollow shiift hilt permit the saine to nieve lengthwise independent their-ehn nozzle pivoted 4on the front body sei-tion at iin angle to the axis thereof :ind having its outlet at an angle to the axis ol' its pivot, a central nozzle shaft arranged in the hollow niain shaft and capa-4 bh-` of rotary und longitudinal movement, gearing connecting said nozzle and nozzle shaft', e driven gear wheel secured to the outer end of the niain shaft, a driven gear wheel spliiied on the nozzle shaft end two driving gear wheels meshing with the driven gear wheels of the inain and nozzle shafts said gear wheels being ronstrueted to rotule said shafts ot dill'erent rotes while the driving gear wheels relato iii unison, substantially as set forth.

16. A boiler tube cleaner comprising` e tubular body composed of ii rein fixed section anda front section Capable of longitudinal androtary movement relatively to the fixed section, a hollow niiiin shiift journaled in the outer end'of the 'fixed section but held against axial movement, a coupling connecting the front section of the body and the hollow shaft and eonstructed to compel the yfront section to turn with the hollow shaft but permit the ,saine to .move lengthwise in dependent thereof, a nozzle pivoted on the front body section at an angle to the axis thereof and having its outlet at an ongle to the axis of its pivot, n central nozzle shaft arranged in the hollow inain shaft and cepablc of rotary and longitudinal movement, gearing connecting siiid nozzle and nozzle shaft, a driven gear wheel secured to the outer end of the inaiii shaft, a driven gear wheel splined on the nozzle shaft, and tivo connected drivingn `rear wheels pivoted on the .fixed hody section parallel with sai'd--Jshiifts and meshingl respectively, with the driven gein' wheels of the hollowiind central shafts, thv tivo pairs of gear wheelsboingr constructed lo Iii-odori ii differential rotation of said shaft din-innr n iinilorni rotation of said dmvine' gear Wheels, substantially as set forth.

17. A boiler tube (cleaner comprising a tiihnlai' bod'y composed ol a rear fixed section and a front section eapahle of longitudif ingly hold seid nozzle shaft and connectingparts in their outermost position, substiinfifi nal and rotary movement relatively to the fixed section, a hollow main shaft journaled inthe outer end of the fixed section but held against axial movement, a coupling connecting the front section of the body and the holy loW shaft and constructed to compel the V front section to turn with the hollow shaft front end of said central shaft, gearing opl eratively connecting said open head and nozzle, .a driven gear wheel secured tothe main shaft, VJriven gear Wheel splined to the' central; shaft, two connected driving gear wheels meshin with saiddriven gear Wheels,

respectively, t e gear wheels of both pairs being constructed to produce a differential rotary movement of said shafts, and a crank having its huband one-of said driving gear Wheels connected by a coperatingtooth on one part engaging with a recess in the other art, the front sides of saidtooth and recess eing abrupt and while the rear sides thereof are inclined, substantially as set forth.

18. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a yro- `tatable body or carrier having a steam inlet at its outer or rear part, a steam delivery nozzle mounted on the inner or front part of A the body and adapted to be rotated with said eraf/zee body and also movablelaterally relatively to the axis thereof, and means for adjusting said nozzle extending from the interiorto the exterior of said body, substantdallyv as set forth.

19. A boiler tube cleaner com rising a tubular."body` COmpoSed'of a fixe rear or outersectionand 'a' movable front or inner section, a s ring operating to hold said front section yie dingly in its vretracted rearward position, and a connection between said front section and said spring extending from the interior t'o the ,exterior of said rear body'itsection, substantiallyvas set forth. 5'

20.A.'boiler tube cleaner comprising a I tubular body composed of a ined'rear or outer section having a steaminletat its rear end and a front or inner section which is v movable lengthwise of the rear section and. 'provided with a Steani outlet at, its front end,

arod arrangedI centrally in the body sections and slidable through the'rear end of 'said rear section while its front end is operatively conneeted with said front section so that the same are compelled to move together lengthwise, and a spring surrounding said rod outsidel of the body and bearing against a shoulder thereon at the outer end thereof, substantially as set forth. l :d:

Witness my hand'this 29th4 day of May,

i VRBERT o. Honors. Viitnesses:

C. F. Geven, E. M.. GRAHAM. 

